Obituary of Evelyn Maeve Shanahan

November 6, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta

October 29, 2022– Calgary, Alberta

Evelyn Shanahan, of Calgary, AB, passed away suddenly at home in the early hours of Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the age of 8 years.

Evelyn was much loved and will be dreadfully missed by her parents, Mike & Marie-Claire; grandparents, Elizabeth & Kieran Shanahan of Calgary, AB, recently of Westmount, QC; Pierre and Nancy Gagné of Ottawa, ON; grandma Sue Hamilton, & Mike Caughey of Almonte, ON; her special dog Bee, and all of her extended family and friends.

Despite many serious medical challenges, Evelyn had an infectious personality and always had a smile on her face. Through frequent and sometimes long hospitalizations often involving surgeries, she lived her life with enthusiasm, often terrorizing the doctors and nurses in the hallways of Unit 2 and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. At home, Evelyn was well known in our neighbourhood for flying around the block on her bike or scooter with her wild red hair streaming behind her. If she wasn’t on her bike, she could often be found blocking the sidewalk, drawing with chalk, while knowing every passing dog’s name.

Evelyn had a keen sense of humour and loved to tease her mom and dad. Always seeing a positive, she found joy in everything. A new water bottle or blanket would bring the same squeals of excitement as an expensive gift.

While often unwell, her last several months were spent mostly healthy and at home. She had recently started at her new school, Rosemont, where she loved her Grade 3 class.

Evelyn had recently told her mom that she wanted to raise money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Alberta. If friends so desire, donations to these two organizations can be made in her name and memory at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB  T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955-8818, https://my.childrenshospital.ab.ca/fundraiser/4252044, or the Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta, 111 West Campus Place N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 2R6, Telephone: (403) 240-3000, ext. 143, https://www.rmhccanada.ca/fundraisers/evelyn-shanahans-fundraiser?announce=1.

Evelyn’s family will be planning a Celebration of Life before the end of the year.

In living memory of Evelyn Shanahan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.